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Why Is the Bund So Famous?

Coming to Shanghai and missing the Bund (外滩) is like visiting Beijing and bypassing the Forbidden City (紫禁城) or the Great Wall. The Bund is the iconic landmark of Shanghai and the area around the Bund is the tourist center of Shanghai and is the city’s most famous mile.

What impress travelers most should be the 52 buildings with various international architectural styles which makes the Bund “An Exhibition of International Buildings”. There are dozens of classical Renaissance buildings with different styles on the Bund including the well-known Bank of China building, Heping Hotel, customs building, HSBC building, all of which reproduce the style of "Far East Wall Street" in the past. These buildings are not from the same designer, nor built in the same period, but have a unique harmonious beauty. The Bund has a variety of architectural styles, including French classical style, Gothic style, etc. These are important historical sites and representative buildings in modern China, forming a beautiful landscape along the Huangpu River.

There is no doubt that the Bund is the fusion of Western and Chinese Culture, an epitome of Shanghai’s history, and a great place to explore Shanghai’s today and see the future of Shanghai.

When the evening comes, the neon lights on both sides of the strait are interlinked. The Bund is witnessing the development of Shanghai and Lujiazui is the landmark of Shanghai's modern constructions. Taking a cruise ship, it allows you to appreciate the beautiful bustling city from another angle.

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Location of the Bund

The Bund stretches 1.5km on the west bank of Huangpu River (黄浦江). It begins at Waibaidu Bridge (外白渡桥) in the north and ends at Yan’an Road (延安路) in the south, which crosses Suzhou Creek (苏州河). The area centers on East Zhongshan No. 1 Road (中山东一路), facing the highly modern skyscrapers of Pudong (浦东), in the eastern part of Huangpu District.

Distance from other main Shanghai attractions:

For the geographic location, it is recommended to cover The Bund and nearby attractions like Nanjing Road, Yu Garden & Bazaar and Jinmao Tower/Oriental Pearl TV Tower in one day.

Yu Garden Location Map Location Map of Shanghai Bund

How to Get to the Bund

By Subway: Take Subway Line 2 or Line 10 to East Nanjing Road Station (南京东路站). Then, walk east along Nanjing East Road for 600 meters to the Bund.

By Bus: Take bus 147, 305, 307, 330, 33, 37, 55, 65, 921 and get off at East Zhongshan 1st Road / East Nanjing Road; Take 123, 135, 145, 576, 934 and get off at East Zhongshan 1st Road / Hankou Road (汉口路); Take Bus 42, 71, 311, 316, 320 and get off at East Yan’an Road / East Zhongshan 1st Road; Take City Sightseeing Bus Line 1 and get off at the Bund, and more buses can reach the Bund.

Note: The actual bus stop may be subject to change. Please feel free to contact us. To get rid of the hustling public transportation, please do not hesitate to contact us for help!

History of Shanghai Bund

The name “Bund” in Anglo-Indian terms means “the embankment of a muddy waterfront”. To know Shanghai, you must come to Shanghai Bund. Before the 1840s, Shanghai was a small seaside town and the Bund was once a muddy towpath for boats along Huangpu River. After First Opium War in 1842, Shanghai began to be an open port, and later the Bund was the first settlement of Great Britain. Many foreign powers entered Shanghai and erected their distinct Western-style banks and trading houses from the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Italy, Russia, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and Belgium, as well as the consulates of Russia and Britain, etc. In the later 19th Century and 20th Century, Shanghai grew into Asia’s leading city, a cosmopolitan and thriving commercial and financial center. Known as “Oriental Wall Street”, the Bund was a historical miniature of colonial-era Shanghai.

The Bund Shanghai - Old Shanghai The Bund in the 1930s

Explore the Bund

Recommended Visiting Route

Travelers could visit the Bund either from north to south or from south to north. It is recommended to walk along the Bund which takes 1-2 hours.

At the northern end of the Bund, on the north bank of Suzhou Creek, rises the brick pile of Broadway Mansions, Russian Consulates, Astor House Hotel. Head south over Waibaidu Bridge and turn west to walk along Suzhou Creek until you reach the area known as the Back Bund. You won’t miss the Union Church which dates to 1885. Behind the church, you can catch a glimpse of the Former British Consulate and gardens, the first foreign building to go up in Shanghai. Follow to a row of beautiful old buildings, beginning with the Gothamesque China Baptist Publication Building. Turn left on Beijing East Road and head back towards the Bund waterfront. Then, head down Zhongshan East Road to see Jardine Matheson, Bank of China, and Peace Hotel. Reach Promenade to catch good view of the Pudong skyline. Continue to head down to see North China Daily News, Customs House, Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, Shanghai Club, etc. Just across the street is the 49m-tall Meteorological Signal Tower, originally built in 1908 opposite the French Consulate. Later, you’ll reach Yan’an Road which marks the end of the walk.

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The Bund Shanghai - The Bund Buildings Custom House on the Bund

Day Views

Exploring the Bund in the daytime is quite different from that in the evening. From very early in the morning, before tourists gather here, local Shanghai people come to the riverbank to enjoy walking, jogging, doing exercises, and flying kites.

Moreover, during the daytime, travelers could overlook the modern Shanghai on the east bank of Huangpu River and see the landmarks and other buildings clearly. If time permits, get into some buildings and learn the background of the splendid architecture and history of Shanghai. Take a stroll along the Bund in the daytime, and you can explore the Lover’s Wall of 1,700 meters long, Monument to the People’s Heroes dedicated to Chinese patriots beginning in the 1840s, the Bund History Museum (09:00-16:15, free admission), Huangpu Park which originally was the British Public Gardens built-in 1868, and the Statue of Chenyi (陈毅) – Shanghai’s first mayor after 1949.

The Bund Shanghai - Shanghai Sightseeing the Bund in the Daytime

Night Views

During the evening the buildings are closed but the Bund is spectacularly illuminated and the nocturnal views of Pudong are delicious. There are many riverboats cruising on the Huangpu River which makes the scene even more stunning.

Travelers can walk along either the west side of East Zhongshan No. 1 Rd or the elevated promenade on the other side of the road overlooking the Huangpu River and Pudong Area. Taking a cruise sailing on the Huangpu River is also recommended. It is very relaxing to feel the old Shanghai on one side and view the modern side on the other side.

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The Bund Shanghai - Shanghai Night View Night View of the Bund

Surroundings of The Bund

Lujiazui (陆家嘴) is located on the east side of the Huangpu River in Pudong and sits directly across Huangpu River from the Bund. On this modern land, there are many landmark buildings, like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and Shanghai Tower.

To appreciate the art of buildings, travelers could overlook the skyline of the Pudong Area from the Bund. For in-depth exploration, travelers could take the Bund Sightseeing Channel, Huangpu River Ferry, and Metro Line 2 to reach Lujiazui Area.

The Bund Shanghai - Pudong Shanghai Pudong Area

Huangpu River Cruise

You are strongly suggested to take a relaxing Huangpu River Cruise along the Bund. It is the best way to see how the West meets East, tradition mixes with modernity in Shanghai. The skyscraper's view, especially at night is breathtaking. The cruise usually takes about 50 minutes to cruise in a round trip along the Huangpu River from the upper section of the Bund to downriver areas. It is available both in the daytime and at night, usually from 11:00 to 21:00. You can conveniently board the ship on the Shiliupu Pier (十六铺码头) or Qinhuangdao Pier (秦皇岛码头). The cruise charges only 120 RMB but very valuable. Learn more about Huangpu River Cruise >>

Ticket: CNY 120 - 400 per person (you may need to contact us and book the cruise ticket espically during the peak season)

Popular Cruise Route: Shiliupu Pier - Lujiazui - World Financial Center - Jinmao Tower - Shanghai Center - Oriental Pearl Tower - Yangpu bridge - North of the Bund - Magnolia Square - Wai Bai Du Bridge - Monument to the People's Heroes - the Bund - Wan Guo Building Expo Group - Shiliupu Pier

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The Bund Shanghai - Huangpu River Cruise Huangpu River Cruise

Shanghai Sightseeing Tunnel

The the Bund sightseeing tunnel is located in the Pudong New Area between Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Nanjing East Road. It is a pioneering work in the history of tunnel construction. It is the first cross river pedestrian tunnel in China, with a total length of 646.70 meters, with a total construction area of nearly 17500 square meters. With the ocean themed lighting and shadow, it is like a dreamland. The entrance to the Bund sightseeing tunnel is located on the west side of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, on the south side of the International Conference Center, and the other entrance is located on the north side of Chen Yi square of Puxi.

Opening Hours: 09:00-21:30

Ticket: CNY 50 person per way; CNY 70 for a round trip. (you may need to contact us and book the cruise ticket espically during the peak season)

Shanghai Sightseeing Tunnel Shanghai Sightseeing Tunnel

Where to Stay on & Around the Bund

On the west bank of the Huangpu River and lining with skyscrapers, exotic western old buildings, and traditional courtyards, the bund area is the most popular accommodation area in the heart of Shanghai. Filled with luxury vibes, the Bund is where you can find the most deluxe fancy hotels with the beautiful nightscape of Shanghai from your dwelling and the main attractions of Shanghai, top restaurants and high-end shopping area are located in this area.

Top Rated Hotels on Tripadvisor (updated in Jan, 2021): Fairmont Peace Hotel, The Shanghai EDITION, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Westin Bund Center Shanghai, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai, Hyatt on the Bund, Shanghai Fish Inn East Nanjing Road

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

Useful Tips for Visiting the Bund

1. the Bund is not far from Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and people's Square. Many tourists choose to take People's Square as a starting point and walk along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street to the Bund.

2. The way of crossing between the Bund and Pudong is usually ferry or sightseeing tunnel. The ferry goes between Dongchang Road, Jinling East Road and Fuxing East Road. Travelers could get East Jinling Road (金陵东路) and take a ferry to Dongchang Road (东昌路) at Lujiazui Area of Pudong District. The line opens during 07:00-22:00 for every 15 minutes’ intervals. The sightseeing tunnel is a pedestrian crossing Nanjing east road to Oriental Pearl.

3. The Bund is windy, especially at night, so you may need to bring an extra layer to keep warm.

4. the main scenic spots and the best viewing site of the Bund are relatively concentrated in the northern section (north of Zhongshan East Road East and Nanjing East Road, outside Bai Du Bridge). If the tour time is limited, the north section can be completed without having to go through the whole journey.

Photography Tips

The Promenade and Monument to the People’s Heroes are the best spots to shoot the amazing skyline of the Pudong Area. If you want to shoot sunrise over Pudong, you should get up early, come and wait. If you want to catch the amazing night view, you’d better come before 17:00 and find a good location for photography.

How to Plan a Shanghai Tour

How to Get to Shanghai: You can fly to Shanghai directly from Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Los Angeles & many overseas countries (regions) and almost all major Chinese cities, like Beijing, Xian; or take high speed bullet train to Shanghai from domestic cities.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai: March to May (in spring) & September to November (in autumn), because these periods offer beautiful nature scenery and comfortable weather for outdoor sightseeing and activities.

Top Attractions to Visit in Shanghai: The Bund, Lujiazui Skyscrapers, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, French Concession, Shanghai Disney Resort…

Best known as an international popular tourist destination, Shanghai perfectly preserves mixed culture of the western and eastern. The duration and theme of your Shanghai tour can be flexibly arranged based on your time and interests. Usually, tourists spend 2 days on sightseeing the most famous landmarks, including the Bund, Yu Garden, skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Former French Concession, Shanghai Museum, etc. With one extra day, you can enjoy family fun in Disneyland Park or visit Zhujiajiao Water Town in the suburb. Don't miss the Shanghai Maglev Train, wonderful nightlife and Shanghai Cuisine.

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Convenient transportation makes it quite efficient and popular to make day trips from Shanghai to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and longer vacation in Huangshan Mountain, Nanjing, Mount Jiuhua and other places in surrounding areas. So you can visit West Lake and learn Chinese tea culture in Hangzhou, marvel at tasteful classical gardens and witness Chinese silk productive process. Splendid rocky mountains with exotic pine trees are highlights in Huangshan Mountain.

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Beijing Xian Shanghai are golden triangle cities often visited together for a week holiday. You can use 3 days to visit the Great Wall and major iconic spots like Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and leave 2 days for fulfilling your Terracotta Warriors tour in Xian. With more time, you can extend the trip from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road, Tibet and more phenomenal destinations to enrich your China discovery. (more top China tours from Shanghai >>)

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Travel with China Discovery

As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, China Discovery has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, etc., in China. Travel with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You are free to choose from our most popular Shanghai tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in Shanghai, China.

Best Shanghai Tour with China Discovery Paul & His Wife Visited the Bund Shanghai Tour with China Discovery Timothy Family in Yu Garden Beijing Shanghai Tour with China Discovery Tailor-made Group Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing

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